Pex UV System

[BillyPilgrimSHF]

Howdy,

I just recently installed a uv water sterilizer to my house’s plumbing system. To make the install process faster I transitioned the copper to Pex. It didn’t occur to me while installing it the uv light would shine through the inlet and outlet ports. I went down into the basement this evening with room light off and quickly realized white pen pipe feed into the inlet was glowing (see pic). I know you are not supposed to expose pex to UV light, but my understanding is that it damages the chlorine inhibitors in the pipe. Living off a well that isn’t treated with chlorine, is this something I should be concerned with? I obviously can transition back to copper before the inlet but don’t want to waste my time if it isn’t needed. I obviously installed a bypass in the copper so I can simply bypass the pex if I need to shock the well. Any wisdom is appreciated.

 

[JohnCT]

I know you are not supposed to expose pex to UV light, but my understanding is that it damages the chlorine inhibitors in the pipe. Living off a well that isn’t treated with chlorine, is this something I should be concerned with?

It's not just the chlorine inhibitors that are affected, it's the polymer of PEX itself. There is no brand or type of PEX that is immune to UV, and indeed, UV prematurely ages most things except metals. PEX pipe of all types that is exposed to UV beyond it's allowed rating becomes brittle and subject to cracking and pinholes after time.

I know it's more work, but I would replumb the inlet and outlet with copper. I would think that some right angle fittings near the sterilizer would reduce the length of copper needed if you can work 90s into the installation.

John

 

[Sponsor]

 

[BillyPilgrimSHF]

It's not just the chlorine inhibitors that are affected, it's the polymer of PEX itself. There is no brand or type of PEX that is immune to UV, and indeed, UV prematurely ages most things except metals. PEX pipe of all types that is exposed to UV beyond it's allowed rating becomes brittle and subject to cracking and pinholes after time.

I know it's more work, but I would replumb the inlet and outlet with copper. I would think that some right angle fittings near the sterilizer would reduce the length of copper needed if you can work 90s into the installation.

John

Thank you John. This was really helpful. That was my inclination, I just didn’t want to waste the time and money (both of which I never seem to have enough of ) for no reason. Always better to do it right.